Light and Colour Lead the Way at LSD°R Studios
A pilates studio on King West offers a carefully considered haven to sweat in style
I’ve tried my fair share of workout classes in Toronto. In my experience, an intentional space is just as important as getting a good burn in — both for my own mental and physical wellness and for the fitness studio‘s business model. If I’m looking forward to spending time in the studio itself, there’s a good chance I’ll be back. At the newly completed LSD°R Studios at 543 Richmond St W, those odds are even higher, with a bright, balanced interior envisioned by Articulate Design + Consulting in collaboration with architect of record Jason Fung Architect Inc. and studio design lead Angela Diaz Romero.
“Our guests tell us that the moment they step into LSD°R, they feel a shift. The atmosphere is intentionally designed to feel elevated, calm and inspiring. When your surroundings feel good, your body responds. The physical environment becomes part of the wellness experience. People choose to move here because the space itself supports their health, their mindset and their energy,” explains LSD°R co-founder Tessa Bernier.
Branded offerings include tote bags, grip socks, hats and more.
With over a dozen physiotherapy clinics, exercise clubs and health centers under their belt, Articulate Design + Consulting is no stranger to designing wellness spaces. “With all of our projects, our main considerations are to design entirely around the brand identity while marrying that with our understanding of health and wellness space functionality. In doing this, it turns the space into more than just a smoothly operating workout room – it becomes a physical expression of the studio’s personality,” shares co-founder Meg MacPherson.
In the entryway, a bench seating area offers a moment of rest before class.
For LSD°R, that process began with the studio’s ethos — Low. Slow. Deep. Reform. — beautifully-transformed into a signature brand concept by Toronto-based graphic design studio Blok Design. From there, Articulate crafted a colour palette and design scheme to echo brand values.
“As a result, the environment feels instantly recognizable and emotionally cohesive. The aim of our design approach is to create a space that doesn’t blend into the generic wellness landscape but stands out as a memorable, immersive experience — one where every detail reinforces the story the brand wants clients to feel the moment they walk in,” says MacPherson.
When you first enter, you’re greeted by a bright foyer with smooth white walls, minimal furnishings and pops of royal blue, clay and light-coloured wood. A signature tiled sink in a terracotta colour immediately draws the eye, echoed by wall signage in the same shade. Deeper inside, following soft LED baseboard lighting, you’ll find wooden cubbies to store your things and a curtained entryway to the moody reformer room. Acting as an intentional transition from the front-of-house energy to the focused zone, the interior chambers in a warm, red-hued colour palette work to mask visual noise and allow inward reflection.
A curved archway with a clay-coloured curtain blocks hallway light and other distractions.
“We used lighting and colour as the main modulators of energy throughout the interior. While the palette of the front area includes contrasting pops of colour which naturally create an energizing vibe, we balanced this with light-coloured walls and natural lighting. For the studio, we really leaned into the natural moodiness with the paint colour and lighting that could be modulated depending on the type of class and the energy that the instructor wished to evoke,” notes MacPherson.
More than a simple backdrop, the immersive design makes room for a cathartic practice and a real release from everyday stressors. Up against strict building codes for commercial washrooms, accessibility requirements and more, LSD°R still feels inviting and cohesive.
“The challenge lies in integrating durable, easy-to-maintain materials with thoughtfully chosen finishes, lighting, and hardware so the room meets regulations without looking purely utilitarian,” says MacPherson. “ It’s about elevating function into design — where practicality supports, rather than compromises, beauty.”
